Rosemary-Soda Bread with Herb Butter

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A rustic, open-crumb bread made with buttermilk and fresh rosemary, served with herbed butter for morning or afternoon tea. This irish-inspired breakfast ready in about 40 minutes combines all-purpose flour, baking soda, sea salt into a breakfast that fuels the morning without the midday crash — make-ahead-friendly and balanced enough to anchor the first meal of the day. Each serving lands at about 140 calories and feeds 8, so it sits comfortably in a weekly breakfast rotation alongside fruit, yogurt, or coffee. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 25 min Serves 8 Irish cuisine 140 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C). In a large bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking soda, and 1/2 tsp sea salt.
  2. Step 2: Stir in 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh rosemary and 1 cup buttermilk until a shaggy dough forms. Do not overmix; the dough should be slightly sticky.
  3. Step 3: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and gently shape into a round loaf about 1 inch thick. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and make a deep X-cut across the top with a sharp knife.
  4. Step 4: Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
  5. Step 5: While bread bakes, prepare herb butter by mixing 3 tbsp softened unsalted butter, 1 tbsp chopped fresh chives, and 1 tsp lemon zest.
  6. Step 6: Once bread is cool enough to handle, slice into wedges and serve warm with a generous dollop of herb butter.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Rosemary-Soda Bread with Herb Butter take to make?

Total time is about 40 minutes (15 min prep + 25 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a busy morning; prep components the night before to save active time.

How do I store leftover Rosemary-Soda Bread with Herb Butter?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat in the microwave or oven; egg- or grain-based items may need a splash of milk or water to refresh texture. Cold-served items (overnight oats, smoothies) keep 2–3 days in the fridge.

Can I substitute ingredients in Rosemary-Soda Bread with Herb Butter?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Rosemary-Soda Bread with Herb Butter for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Rosemary-Soda Bread with Herb Butter?

Irish breakfast like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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